Travelling to rural Eastern Cape schools with Scifest Africa and seeing the science challenges poorly resourced pupils face every day has inspired a top Rhodes University student to help others realise their dreams.
Working at his last Scifest Africa before jetting off to England for three years to study nanotechnology on a prestigious Oxford Rhodes scholarship, Nhlakanipho Colin Mkhize yesterday said the experiences he had working with rural schools had made him fully aware of the challenges students faced.
“It is very difficult when teachers do not have much teaching resources – there are no halls, no labs and no equipment. A lot of youngsters fall through the cracks because they do not get to study science.”
According to Mkhize, the experience had made him work harder to try and change many South Africans’ mental block when it came to science.
Born in a sprawling Pietermaritzburg township, Mkhize worked hard and was awarded a bursary to a former model C high school in an affluent suburb that changed his life.
“Although I was always a curious child, the teachers I encountered at high school planted the science seed.
“They taught with passion and clarity and this inspired me to go into science.”
Passionate about science throughout high school, Mkhize was awarded a bursary to study at Rhodes University when he matriculated and was further inspired by internationally acclaimed nanotechnology expert Professor Tebello Nyokong.
“Professor Nyokong modelled me into someone who does not give up easily. At times she pushed me to almost breaking point but I came out stronger every time.
“It made me appreciate how far hard work can get you and that you must always strive for success.”
Mkhize has been accepted to study for a DPhil in material science at Oxford University – a highly competitive course with limited space.
He is hoping to follow in Nyokong’s nanotech footsteps by studying the toxicity of nanoparticles overseas.
“I think after having been exposed to that kind of passion and resolve [by Nyokong] towards social change in research I also want to go into research and make products in the lab that can better society.”
Mkhize said his research could include agents for cleaning water, designing new energy efficient materials or making compounds that can help heal people.
His MSc degree looked at polymer thin films which he combined with a dye to make materials that can protect people’s eyes and other delicate sensors from intense laser light.
“We’ve seen examples where lasers shone at aeroplanes could potentially blind pilots, leading to catastrophes.”
Article by: David Macgregor
Article source: Daily Dispatch